Dannii and Kris: The Aussie style queen and the man who put the 'X Factor' in her life

Kris, who was on the party island celebrating his 30th birthday, was totally smitten with 5ft 2in Dannii, who is six years his senior. In November, the handsome 6ft 4in sports star escorted his new girlfriend on the red carpet at an awards event – their first public outing

Even at this early stage in their relationship, it was clear the couple were getting serious. Once inside the party, they were seen with their arms wrapped around each other, seemingly oblivious to the world around them

The enamoured pair attended the Men's Singles Final at the Australian Open in February 2009, after jetting to Oz together in January – perhaps so Dannii could introduce her new man to the family

"He's so cute," Dannii has said of her beau. "I look at him and I go, 'How did I get a guy like that?' He's gorgeous, and he's so gentle and kind and incredible with kids"

The super stylish X Factor star, whose marriage to Nip/Tuck actor Julian McMahon lasted from 1994 until 1995, has admitted she is "picky" when it comes to men. But she seems to have found her perfect match in Kris

As for the man himself - "She's the one," he said at the end of 2009. "I have never felt like this."

In January 2010, the happy couple had some very big news to share – they were expecting their first baby. "Dannii and Kris are very excited and can't wait to start their family," their spokesman confirmed. The mum-to-be chose to keep it simple. "Woo hoo I'm gonna be a mummy," the 38-year-old wrote on her Twitter page

Just 12 weeks in to her pregnancy, Dannii and supportive Kris made an appearance at the National TV Awards, - their first social outing since announcing the news

Speaking to HELLO! magazine, Dannii revealed that it was her boyfriend who had really wanted a baby. "I just never though it was something I would do," she admitted. "I had never been broody. No clock was ticking. And I would never have wanted to do it unless I was in the right relationship."

"Kris loves me pregnant and that's a big, big help…he is loving every minute of it," she once revealed. "And I'm not scared, I'm so excited. I think that because Kris is going to be brilliant"

Two months before the birth, Dannii (pictured in April) began her leave from the X Factor and headed to Australia with Kris to await the arrival of their child.

And on July 5, 2010, Dannii and Kris welcomed their son into the world – Ethan Edward Smith. "Mother and baby are doing well and Dad is very proud," said a representative. "They request their privacy at this special time to adjust as new parents"

A few days later, fans were treated to their first glimpse of the newborn, who was born in Melbourne's Royal Women's Children Hospital. In a picture posted on Twitter, the X Factor judge and Kris, 32, were seen sitting on her hospital bed with tiny five-day-old Ethan between them.

Accompanying the candid shot, Dannii wrote: "Hey everyone, thanks for all your wishes, we are loving baby Ethan and Kris is the best dad in the world"

Later, new dad Kris posted a snap of his son swaddled in blankets and now safely back at home. "Hey guys, look at our beautiful Ethan, he is the most adorable little man, looks like his amazing mum x"

In September, Dannii, Kris and their baby made the long trip back to the UK for the X Factor live shows. Fans were delighted to see the super-fashionable star back on the judging panel looking incredibly happy and healthy

And so, at 38, the future couldn't be brighter for Dannii – she is at the pinnacle of her career; has a son, and, of course, is madly in love with a model man.

"I'm happier than I've ever been," the Aussie star said. "For a long time I knew I would love to share my life and my family with someone, but I never thought I would find the person."

It seems that this love story really does have a happy ending

There was a time when Dannii Minogue was best known as Kylie's little sister. Then Simon Cowell and the X Factor came knocking, and life changed for the Aussie beauty – especially after finding love with British rugby player-turned-model, Kris Smith.

Dannii and Kris's story began in the summer of 2008 in a nightclub in Ibiza. "We kept looking at each other but I would never have gone up to him and he would never have come up to me," the petite star has said of their first meeting.

"Then my friend chatted to him and involved me in the conversation and it happened straight away. It was just all there from the beginning. Cupid's arrow flew across Space nightclub – it's so unlikely"